Caring teenager plans mission to Thailand

A kind-hearted teenager has launched a fundraising campaign so she can travel to Thailand and help people less fortunate than herself.

Olivia Kennedy, a pupil at Bearsden Academy, is planning to take part in the World Challenge project next summer.

But before she can go on the life-changing trip, 14-year-old Olivia needs to raise almost £2,000 to cover costs.

World Challenge has many opportunities for different project work around Thailand, from living and working with remote hill-tribe villages in the far north, where previous teams have assisted with the construction of community buildings, to renovation work and teaching English in orphanages.

Olivia isn’t sure what the exact itinery will be, but she told the Herald: “I really want to do this.

“I’m hoping that I can do something useful to help people in poor communities and at the same time build my confidence and learn lots when I’m there. This will be the first time I’ll have done anything like this and I think it will be an amazing experience, I can’t wait.

To help cover the cost of the trip Olivia, from Lennoxtown, has organised a raffle, barbecue and bouncy castle at M-MAG gym, in Kirkintilloch, this Saturday (August 3) at 1pm.

There will be some great prizes up for grabs in the raffle, including a tour of Celtic Park for two people, a tour of Ibrox Stadium for six people, a £50 gift voucher for Art Forum in Milngavie, a cut and blow dry in the Rainbow Room hair salon in Bearsden, and a meal for two at Glazert Country House Hotel, in Lennoxtown.

Olivia has to raise £1,900 to be able to go on the trip and so far she has raised £800 by holding car boot sales.

And she’ll be at Mugdock Country Park for three Sundays from August 3, selling dog biscuits, which were donated to her by Pets At Home.

Olivia also plans to take part in the Great Scottish Run, in October, and a charity abseil . The World Challenge expedition takes place in June next year.

She added: “I’m really looking forward to meeting the local people, learning more about their way of life and culture and the wonderful things we will see.

“I’d be really grateful if people can come along and support my event this weekend and help me to do this.”